####018002198#### FNUS21 KWNS 301547 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0946 AM CST Mon Dec 30 2024 Valid 301700Z - 311200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS INTO THE BIG BEND... Minor modifications were made to the Elevated areas based on the most recent observations and high-resolution forecast guidance. Of note, locally critical conditions are likely in southeast portions of the Elevated area in the western Texas Hill Country. Otherwise, the forecast remains on track, and please see the previous discussion for more details. ..Nauslar.. 12/30/2024 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0122 AM CST Mon Dec 30 2024/ ...Synopsis... Enhanced westerly flow aloft will overspread the central/southern Rockies today through the base of a mid-level shortwave moving across the central/southern Plains. Surface cyclogenesis is expected with strengthening lee troughing. This pattern will lead to an increase in westerly surface winds across portions of the southern High Plains, supporting a broad region of Elevated to Critical fire weather concerns. ...Eastern New Mexico, Texas/Oklahoma Panhandle, Western Texas... Warm/dry/gusty westerly downslope flow is expected across eastern New Mexico into western Texas/Oklahoma today. Afternoon relative-humidity reductions to around 10-20 percent (driest across portions of western Texas) will overlap surface winds sustained around 20-25 mph. Fuels within this region have seen drying over the last several days. While latest fuel guidance suggests 100-hr fuels are largely marginal, the extended period of critical winds and relative humidity should lead to further drying (especially of fine fuels), supporting risk for fire spread. ...Southern California... Offshore gradients will increase today across southern California, with gusty winds (25-45 mph) across the Transverse ranges. This will overlap relative-humidity reductions to around 15-30%. An Elevated region was maintained with this outlook to cover this threat. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$